News from the Library of Congress

February 9, 2001

Author A'Lelia Bundles to Discuss Book on Madam C.J. Walker at the Library of Congress on March 20

On Her Own Ground: The Life and Times of Madam C. J. Walker will be discussed by Walker's great-great grandaughter, author A'Lelia Bundles, at noon, Tuesday, March 20, in the West Dining Room, sixth floor, James Madison Memorial Building, 101 Independence Ave. S.E. The program, the first of three spring lectures sponsored by the Humanities and Social Sciences Division, is free and open to the public. No tickets are required.

Madam C. J. Walker (1867-1919) was a pioneer in the modern cosmetics industry. Born the daughter of freed slaves in 1867, she built a successful cosmetics company and became one of the most influential African American women of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Bundles's biography explores the physical, psychological, and emotional trials of the African Americans during Walker's lifetime, and portrays her as a cultural heroine who inspired women to take pride in themselves and their communities.

A'Lelia Bundles is an award-winning journalist and author. She was a television producer for NBC from 1985 to 1989, and has been associated with ABC in several positions since 1989. As a producer for ABC, she earned an Emmy award for news programming. In 1992, A'Lelia Bundles's first biography on Walker, Madam C. J. Walker, Entrepreneur, was selected as one of the New York Public Library's "Best Books for Teens." Her television appearances have included ABC's "Good Morning America," TBS's "A Century for Women," HGTV's "Designing for History," and WNET's "A Walk Through Harlem." A'Lelia Bundles is currently on a speaking tour to promote On Her Own Ground: The Life and Times of Madam C. J. Walker.